THE PRESS MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1982. Decisions on the Rakaia

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 12

THE PRESS MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1982. Decisions on the Rakaia

Many Canterbury farmers, still struggling to recover from the effects of drought, are understandably anxious to know as soon as possible whether water will be made available to them from the Rakaia River for irrigation. Even if a decision were made tomorrow to allow one or both of the major schemes proposed to proceed, several years would pass before water flowed on to the farms. Many dry months can reasonably be expected before then. The Government has wisely refrained from approving any irrigation schemes using Rakaia water until all the relevant data has been collected. As recently as last April, the Minister of Works, Mr Quigley, repeated an assurance that the Government would not pre-empt proper planning procedures for the Rakaia. Nevertheless, the North Canterbury Catchment Board is under pressure from the National Soil and Water Conservation Authority to “accelerate” the preparation of its water allocation and management plan for the Rakaia.

The board has already received various water right applications — and objections to them — but is sitting on these until all the investigations have been completed, until a report has been prepared and public reaction to the report has been assessed. The Government has, in effect, supported the urging of the authority that the board accelerate the process of preparing the water allocation and management plan by giving the board extra money for this purpose. Those who are keen to get a quick decision on the uses to be made of the water of the Rakaia face another hurdle in the provisions of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which came into force this year. An application under this act for a national conservation order over the Rakaia is almost certain. While dealing with this application could proceed at the same time as the Catchment Board is dealing with water. rights applications, consideration of the application for such a national conservation order could further delay the reaching of any final decision

about the Rakaia. It is also highly likely that the Catchment Board's decision, whatever it is, will go on appeal to the Planning Tribunal. The vista of reports, submissions, hearings, decisions and appeals looks very long indeed. The beginning of 1984 is probably the earliest time by which a decision could be firm enough to allow work to begin on any approved irrigation scheme. If the Catchment Board's hearings on applications for water rights could be brought forward through the quicker gathering of information and preparation and amendment of reports, an earlier final decision would become possible. The board's argument is that good planning and thorough inquiry take time and that a wait is a small price to pay for a wise decision. Such an argument cannot easily be brushed aside, if every reasonable effort is being made by the board. This year’s drought should not mean that decisions are made with an air of panic. Drought certainly highlighted the value of irrigation in Canterbury. Nevertheless, the prime value of irrigation is not as insurance against drought. In extreme drought conditions, the water supply might be denied. Additional and controlled water supplies are needed in average years just to improve the productive capabilities of more Canterbury farms.

Time is needed for adequate investigation of all the considerations of the use of the river water; time is also needed for adequate public discussion on the reports and plans prepared once the investigations and research have been completed. Whatever final decision is made — by the Catchment Board, the Planning Tribunal, or the Government — some people are going to be displeased. There should be no room for any feeling, on any side of the dispute, that views have not been given a fair hearing. The board is wise to allow the process to proceed at a deliberate pace. At the same time, the board must want to show that, having been given the financial support, no effort is being spared in assembling its information.